(Bandar Seri Begawan, 5th) The Ministry of Health held the second 'Weight Reduction and Obesity Management Strategic Plan' seminar at the Health Promotion Center, aiming to deepen the systematic response to the obesity issue. The seminar was co-organized by the World Health Organization, bringing together experts and healthcare professionals from multiple departments of the Ministry of Health to jointly explore strategies for cross-sectoral collaboration.
Obesity is considered a major risk factor for a variety of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and various cancers. The causes are complex and multifaceted, including genetic, psychological, cultural, social, and environmental factors—not merely attributable to individual lifestyle. Therefore, the Ministry of Health emphasizes that obesity issues should not be solely blamed on individuals but should be addressed through coordinated efforts from all sectors of society.
The Ministry of Health attaches great importance to implementing scientific prevention and management strategies at all life stages to comprehensively address the public health challenge of overweight and obesity.
This seminar is also a follow-up to the first seminar held in April 2025, with the main goal of clarifying key action directions and integrating and strengthening weight loss and obesity management services for all age groups within the health system.
The main focuses of the meeting included setting a timeline for implementation, identifying challenges and feasible solutions, and conducting group discussions to propose practical suggestions for improving the quality of health services.
The results of the seminar will serve as an important reference for the Ministry of Health in formulating the 'Weight Reduction and Obesity Management Strategic Plan,' further promoting systematic prevention and intervention for obesity nationwide.